A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is a 1843 book by Charles Dickens, the book is set during Christmas time and is written in five parts.

Plot Summary

The first part of, A Christmas Carol is titled Marley's Ghost, this part of the book introduces us to Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy old man who is disliked by most people, and Bob Cratchit, an employee of Scrooge's. In this part of the story Marley, a dead business partner of comes Scrooge's comes back as a ghost, and tells Scrooge that unless he changes his ways and behaviour to people he will be bound to walk the earth forever after his death. His only chance of saving himself lies in three spirits who would visit him that night

In part two of the book, The First of the Three Spirits, Scrooge comes face to face with the first ghost to visit him that night: the Ghost of Christmas Past. This ghost shows Scrooge some Christmas's in his past, the first being one with his sister, Fran, who came to remove him from a boarding school where he was unhappy in his younger days, Scrooge feels the first stirrings of regret as he reflects upon how he mistreats Fran's son Fred. Scrooge is then taken by the spirit to a Christmas party throw by his old employer, Fezziwig, There Scrooge remembers how kind Fezziwig was, and sorry fully thinks of his own treatment of Bob Cratchit. The last memory the spirit shows Scrooge is one which reminds him how his greed for money lost him the love of his wife, Belle. Scrooge angrily turns on the spirit, then as it disappears falls asleep on his bed, shattered by the nights experiences.

Part three of the book is titled, The Second of the Three Spirits, in this part Scrooge is met by a spirit named, the ghost of Christmas present, this ghost shows Scrooge the humble Christmas celebrations of the Cratchit family, although the atmosphere is happy, the toasting of Scrooge is cause for a full five minutes silence. A shadow is also cast over the party by the recent death of "Tiny" Tim Cratchit. Scrooge is crushed when he is told that if his attitude and behaviour remain the same, nothing could be done to save Tim. The spirit then takes Scrooge to the party of his nephew Fred, there Scrooge finds that he is a subject for ridicule, albeit gentle, however Fred displays that he is of the firm belief that his uncle can change. The Ghost then shows Scrooge all the miserable Christmas's that the poor of the world experience.

Part four is called, The Last of the Three Spirits, in this stave Scrooge is found by The ghost of Christmas yet to come, this Grim Spirit shows Scrooge the future if he refuses to change his ways, in this future Tim is dead. As is Scrooge himself, it is revealed that his death would sadden none and that his grave would be robbed. Scrooge learns that if he changes then Tim can avoid his fate, crying Scrooge swears to be a changed person, he then awakes to find that only one night has passed since Marley's visit, and that it is Christmas morning.

In part five, The End of It, Scrooge is a new person, he orders a huge turkey for the Cratchit Family. And is a kinder soul not just too Bob and his family, but to the world as a whole.

Tiny Tim also lives on and Scrooge becomes his adopted uncle. From that point on Scrooge is known as a kind and generous man who embodies the spirit of Christmas in his life.